The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 564 Five Years Later
Five years have passed in a flash. In early spring, March, at Taihu Lake in Suzhou, it's early morning.

A thin mist veils the water's surface; a gentle breeze stirs, rippling the water. The reeds on the bank are still withered and yellow, but new shoots timidly emerge, and the willow branches are tinged with pale green, scattered here and there.

As the morning mist gradually dissipated and the sunlight shone warmly, a small boat glided across the pale blue lake, skimming over the vast expanse of misty waves.

Wu Chengyu sailed away from Xishan Island in Taihu Lake alone. He was standing at the bow of the boat with his hands behind his back, his mind completely absorbed in the beautiful scenery of the lake. There were no oars on the boat, and the boat glided automatically across the water, with the sound of flowing water.

Five years later, Wu Chengyu was nearly 35 years old. He had matured considerably and could no longer find that youthful feeling. Having lived two lives, he was 45 years old before his previous life. Combined, he was now an 80-year-old man.

The two islands of Dongshan and Xishan were the main training base for Wu Chengyu's militia, mainly for training new troops. Some of the veteran instructors retired, while others were assigned to the Song army as middle and lower-ranking officers.

The three hundred Beiwei soldiers learned the training methods of Yue Fei's army and now serve as instructors.

The rebel army within the Jin Kingdom, the rebel army at the Bright Peak base, 70% of the Song army in Pingjiang Prefecture, plus 10,000 new troops on Taihu Lake, now the army led by Hong Niangzi and Wu Chengyu officially exceeds 150,000, with an additional 50,000 reserves.

With Wu Chengyu's body-refining methods and various martial arts skills, plus the strong military discipline shaped by Yue Family Army's training methods, this army of over 100,000 can be called a powerful army. Compared with Song soldiers, the passing grade of the rebel soldiers is one against ten, and their combat power is even enough to sweep across the entire Song Kingdom.

There is a small island about two miles behind Dongshan Island by waterway. It covers an area of ​​no more than 200 acres and is surrounded by high terrain. Even if there are several days of heavy rain, the water will not flood the island.

The central part of the island is relatively flat, with about fifty or sixty acres of arable land. In addition, the island has abundant freshwater resources, which are easy to irrigate, resulting in a considerable annual grain yield. There is also an open space surrounded by a fence where more than twenty chickens are raised.

At the back of the small island is a row of houses. Although they are all single-story houses, they are all made of blue bricks and tiles, and the materials are solid. They do not have the carved railings and painted beams of grand mansions, but only the simple and peaceful joy of rural life.

After arriving on the island, Wu Chengyu walked to the front of the houses and saw three young children squatting together, making noises and holding tree branches, seemingly teasing the ants on the ground.

The three children had their heads down, completely focused, and didn't hear any footsteps until they felt darkness before their eyes and a shadow blocking the ground, at which point they realized someone was coming from behind them.

"Father, you've finally come! Tongtong hasn't seen you for days."

The girl closest to Wu Chengyu was a little girl, a little over three years old. She was beautiful with delicate features, a round face, and a pigtail on her head. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled, and she was incredibly sweet.

This is the daughter that A-Ku gave birth to for Wu Chengyu. Her full name is Wu Jiatong. Her appearance is naturally outstanding. She is sweet like her mother, but she is also very much like A-Ku in her love of food.

The little girl first hugged Wu Chengyu's leg, and then tried to reach for her father's backpack. Based on her more than three years of life experience, every time her father saw her, his backpack was full of delicious snacks. Last time it was silver thread rolls from Suzhou, and she still drooled when she thought about it.

Unfortunately, her legs were too short and her arms even shorter, so she couldn't reach them. She pouted and stretched out her arms, saying, "Daddy, hug me."

The little girl didn't care whether Wu Chengyu held her or not, but when she was held in Wu Chengyu's arms, her short arms were enough to reach for her father's backpack.

Next was the oldest of the three children, who was actually only four years old, but taller than a typical six or seven-year-old boy.

Although he looks like a child, he has deep-set, angular features, resembling his mother, Hong Niangzi, more. His skin is slightly darker, and he has a heroic air about him. At such a young age, he is like a little adult, speaking and acting in a very organized manner.

This child was born when Wu Chengyu went to Zhongdu to resolve the eighteen-year agreement between the Guo and Yang families. After Hong Niangzi led troops to meet him, Wu Chengyu and Hong Niangzi spent more than a month together at the Qinling base, and their relationship finally blossomed.

Previously, Wu Chengyu was busy running around, and Hong Niangzi was wholeheartedly leading the rebel army, working day and night and had no time to spare, so she had been trying to avoid pregnancy.

Now that the rebel army has gained momentum, and the Mandate of Heaven still needs time, Hong Niangzi has taken on the responsibility of carrying on Wu Chengyu's lineage.

Wu Chengyu's child with Hong Niangzi was Wu Chengyu's eldest son. According to the Wu family's generational order, Da Fang Zheng Cheng, Ping Kang Chang Jing, his son belonged to the Ping generation. Wu Chengyu named this boy Wu Pinghua, which means to pacify China.

At this moment, when Wu Pinghua saw his father, his eyes revealed his affection for his father. He was sent to Suzhou by Hong Niangzi when he was a little over two years old and was raised by Wu Chengyu. From the time he could speak, he knew that his parents were the most outstanding heroes in the world, and he could not tarnish their reputation.

So, although this boy was young, he was extremely sensible and self-disciplined. His first reaction upon seeing Wu Chengyu was to bow and pay his respects.

"Your son Pinghua greets Father."

"Get up, don't be so stiff. Learn from your sister, children should act like children."

Wu Chengyu held Wu Jiatong in his arms, letting Wu Jiatong reach into his backpack and pull out a few pastries. With his other hand, he stroked Wu Pinghua's head, messing up his childlike hair. Wu Pinghua looked helpless, but his eyes lit up with joy because of his father's affectionate gaze.

As for the third child, he was the youngest, only two years old, a little baby, and didn't look like Wu Chengyu at all. Of course, it would be wrong if he did.

In terms of appearance, it looks like a freshly cooked glutinous rice ball, white and plump, so tender it's almost dripping with moisture. Its facial features are clustered together because of its excessive baby fat, so it's hard to say who it resembles.

The little guy's speech wasn't clear enough yet, but he was very close to Wu Chengyu. When he saw Wu Chengyu flapping his arms like a bird flapping its wings, he said in a childish voice, "Master, I want to fly."

Wu Chengyu laughed heartily, activated the Soul-Guiding Silk, lifted the boy off the ground, seven feet off the ground, and made him circle around Wu Chengyu as if flying through the air. The little guy's laughter was like bells, and he unconsciously stretched his arms and kicked his legs, as if he were swimming in the air.

"Daddy, I want one too!" Seeing this, Wu Jiatong munched on a pastry while also wanting to spread his wings and fly. Wu Chengyu smiled gently. This was also his way of getting along with his children. In recent years, he had hardly had a chance to use the Soul-Guiding Silk, and had used it all to amuse his children.

He stretched out his hand slightly, and Wu Jiatong flew into the air. Then came Wu Pinghua. No matter how grown-up he looked, he was still a child after all, and naturally he also longed to fly freely.

After the three of them had been flying in the air for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wu Chengyu finally put them down. The youngest one felt a little dizzy as soon as he landed and staggered a few times before regaining his balance. Wu Chengyu reached out and took his pulse, carefully examining the boy's body.

"Guo'er, have you been taking your medicine properly lately? Your master can tell just by touching you."

"Master, the medicine tastes bitter, I don't want to drink it."

Wu Chengyu immediately pretended to glare at him, and the boy immediately shrank back, saying, "Master, Guo'er wouldn't dare."

Guo'er is of course Yang Guo, but this Yang Guo is not the same as that Yang Guo. However, if DNA testing were used in later generations, it would definitely be found that they are close relatives.

This Yang Guo is the second son born to Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo after they returned to Jiangnan. After all, they were both over forty years old, and they could have easily had a second child. As the saying goes, if you ruin your first child, you can start a second one. Since Yang Kang doesn't acknowledge his biological father, then they should have another one.

As for the name, Yang Tiexin asked Wu Chengyu for help in naming the child, and Wu Chengyu blurted out "Yang Guo" without hesitation. The world of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* and *The Return of the Condor Heroes* is undeniably a regret without Yang Guo, losing some of its brilliance. But Yang Kang certainly wouldn't have the chance to have a child with Mu Nianci, so having his own parents give birth to Yang Guo for him is something no one could argue with.

However, the word "过" here no longer means "to change one's ways." Wu Chengyu was extremely disgusted by the true meaning behind Guo Jing and Huang Rong's naming of Yang Guo.

What does Yang Kang's wrongdoing have to do with Yang Guo? In the eyes of that couple, the child seemed to be born with original sin. Yang Guo, whose courtesy name was Gaizhi, seemed to imply that he was bound to make mistakes, so they hoped that the child could correct them.

Even if we consider bloodline, Yang Kang was certainly wrong, but Mu Nianci was an extremely kind and strong girl. Yang Guo had half of Mu Nianci's blood, and these two people selectively ignored that.

Later, Huang Rong's wariness of young Yang Guo on Peach Blossom Island led to his eventual being sent to Zhongnan Mountain. This was also because of this. Did Guo Jing not know the things of the Quanzhen Sect?

After Yang Guo became the Condor Hero and saved Guo Xiang, Huang Rong's first reaction was still that Yang Guo had come to seek revenge. In fact, Huang Rong seemed to always regard Yang Guo as her enemy.

Yang Guo's life was actually tragic. He never met Yang Kang, so let's leave that aside. He lost his mother at a young age, became a petty hoodlum, was targeted on Peach Blossom Island, and was sent to the Quanzhen Sect. His life seemed to have gained some things, but he lost even more.

Finally, he lost an arm and became disabled. Then he was separated from Xiaolongnu for sixteen years. After killing Mengge, the Condor Heroes disappeared from the martial arts world.

Yang Guo has always had a free-spirited personality, but in the end he chose to live in seclusion in the Ancient Tomb. Ultimately, it was the bitterness of life that changed his personality.

In the suffering he endured, Guo Jing and Huang Rong were the behind-the-scenes instigators. Even if they were not intentionally targeting him, they still ruined Yang Guo's life.

Wu Chengyu named the child Yang Guo not only because he didn't want the world to lack this remarkable character who made him sigh, but also because the true meaning of the name was to be happy to hear criticism, emphasizing the continuous improvement of self-cultivation.

In addition, after Yang Guo was born, Wu Chengyu took the initiative to accept the little guy as his disciple, and now Guo Jing and Yang Guo both became his personal disciples.

This child is only two years old. Compared to the other Yang Guo, he has been blessed with good fortune. He has been raised to have a very good personality, is happy every day, and is loved by everyone. He is far less extreme and resentful than the other Yang Guo.

However, although the child is chubby, it's just puffy fat; he wasn't born with a very good constitution.

Yang Tiexin wandered the world alone for eighteen years, lacking food and clothing, filled with great sorrow, and his body was severely weakened. If he had not met Wu Chengyu, he probably would not have lived to be fifty.

Although Bao Xiruo lived a life of luxury in the Prince's mansion, she had been burdened by unrequited love for eighteen years, and her body was riddled with wounds. She was destined to die at the age of fifty.

On the way to take the couple away from the Jin Kingdom, seeing their dejected state, no one could do anything about it.

After all, if a biological son doesn't recognize his own father and abandons his parents for wealth and status, the parents will naturally be heartbroken and unable to control themselves. If this continues, the couple will probably only end up dying in despair.

To resolve this inner conflict, Wu Chengyu couldn't help but suggest having a child. Only with a child as a source of comfort would the two of them have the motivation to live.

Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo were also quite interested, but Wu Chengyu soon discovered that their bodies and ages made it too difficult for them to conceive. Using his understanding of the human body and the advice in the bamboo slips, Wu Chengyu spent two years finally getting their bodies in good condition.

Finally, Bao Xiruo gave birth to Yang Guo without any major complications. However, due to the poor health of his parents, Yang Guo was born with an extremely weak constitution and poor foundation. Wu Chengyu then tried every means to improve Yang Guo's foundation.

After two years, the boy's physique has finally improved a lot. The reason he is so fat is because he can't absorb much of the medicine's effects.

However, given Wu Chengyu's methods, this young Yang Guo's future achievements will certainly not be inferior to those of the one-armed Condor Hero, and his life will inevitably be much happier than that of the other Yang Guo.

If it weren't for these three children, given Wu Chengyu's personality, he probably wouldn't have stayed in Suzhou for five years; he would have long since wandered off somewhere else.

While playing with the three children, Wu Chengyu heard a simple and gentle voice: "I was wondering why those three little guys were laughing so loudly. It turns out the Wu brothers have arrived."

Wu Chengyu quickly bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Sister-in-law Guo. You've worked hard, Sister-in-law."

Disrespect is unacceptable. This is Li Ping, and in fact, Li Ping has been taking care of these children for the past few years. She is a great mother who raised a hero like Guo Jing. It is an honor for Wu Chengyu to have her take care of his children.

After Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo returned to Jiangnan, they were settled on a small island in Taihu Lake, which became a place like a farmhouse.

Wanyan Honglie would certainly not be willing to give up. Returning to Niujia Village would definitely provoke Wanyan Honglie to take action again, so leaving it in Taihu Lake is the safest option.

Li Ping was also brought over by Wu Chengyu. She was already over fifty years old. In Suzhou, she could see Guo Jing often and had Bao Xiruo by her side. She lived a comfortable life and looked much younger.

"You're being so polite. Jing'er is too busy. I'm usually very grateful for these three children who keep me company. Seeing them every day makes me feel like I can live a few more years."

"Where are Brother Yang and Sister-in-law Yang?"

"They said the scenery at Wuque Bridge in Suzhou is beautiful in spring. The couple left by boat early this morning. They probably went to see the spring scenery, had hot pot at your Wu family's Wuwei Restaurant, and won't be back until evening."

Wu Chengyu couldn't help but chuckle. After Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo had Yang Guo, it seemed that they had made up for the regret in their hearts. With Li Ping helping to take care of Yang Guo, the two of them were as sweet as honey every day and often went out to enjoy the scenery.

It made Yang Guo seem like an outsider, as if no one could get close to the couple.

However, everyone was happy to see this, as the two of them had finally overcome the pain of being separated for eighteen years.

After finishing his training duties, Wu Chengyu chatted with Li Ping and played with the three children. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Guo Jing suddenly return to the island.

“Master, my mistress sent a message from the Jin Kingdom, saying that a dramatic change has taken place on the Mongolian steppe. Ögedei defeated Chagatai and Jochi and was supported as the new Great Khan of the Mongolian steppe. Mongolia is now showing signs of unification.”

Ögedei convened a meeting on the banks of the Onon River and was hailed as Genghis Khan by the various tribes.

The master's wife meant that the day when the Mongol army marched south was not far off.

(End of this chapter)